FLYING:
If you've carefully followed these assembly instructions, test flying
your new Rascal 110 should be a lot of fun! We repeat this in all
of our assembly manuals and we'll do it again now; when it comes
to test flying any new airplane, try to choose a day that is calm,
with little or no wind. These conditions allow you to better evaluate
and more accurately adjust the trim requirements for the model.
Take any necessary steps to eliminate all potential problems at the
field, especially in the set-up of the engine.
A good running,
reliable engine is a must in the ultimate success of this or any
airplane.
Take the time to solve any engine-related problems
before trying to fly.
Make it a routine part of your pre-flight procedures to check each
control on the airplane, making sure each flight surface moves in
the correct direction. Also, check each control linkage to be sure
they are secure and that nothing is loose. Next, make a routine
range check with your radio system to be sure that it is working
perfectly. We always suggest that this same range check be made
when the engine is running. This is especially true if your airplane
is powered with a gasoline engine.
Gas engines can often
produce extraneous RF (radio frequency) "noise" while running.
RF noise can interfere with the radio system, causing servos to
"glitch". If this occurs with your model, take steps to eliminate the
problem before trying to fly the airplane.
When you're satisfied that the airplane is ready for flight, start the
engine and allow it to warm-up to operating temperature. Holding
up elevator, taxi the Rascal out to the take-off position on the flying
field. For take-off, the airplane should be lined-up with the center
of the runway, with the nose pointed directly into the wind. Hold a
little up elevator and smoothly advance the throttle - do not slam
the throttle full open all at once. As the airplane begins moving
forward, gradually back off of the up elevator input, using the
rudder, only sparingly, to correct any engine torque and/or wind
induced deviations from a straight take-off run. Allow the tail to
come up and the airplane to gather speed on the main wheels.
Lift-off will happen shortly. Keep the wings level with the ailerons
and climb out at a shallow angle to a reasonable trim altitude. At
altitude, make any necessary trim adjustments to achieve straight
and level flight.
You will find that the Rascal 110 is a very smooth flying airplane.
The surface movements given in this manual should provide the
airplane with smooth, positive control in pitch, roll, and yaw. We
found this to be true at virtually any speed that we flew the
airplane. The controls will remain effective down to virtually zero
airspeed.
We have found that coordinated turns - using both
ailerons and rudder - wasn't necessary with this airplane. The
ailerons are effective and get the airplane around just fine.
However, using a little rudder in the turns is also very effective and
tends to get the airplane around even quicker.
First, try a simple loop from level flight.
You should see the
airplane track cleanly through the loop with no tendency to "twist
out" at the top. A clean tracking loop usually indicates that the
C.G. is about right for the airplane. While still at altitude, fly the
airplane into the wind and throttle the engine back to idle. Keep
the airplane level with the ailerons and hold the nose up with
elevator input. Watch carefully to observe the stall characteristics
of the model.
On our Rascal 110 models, the stall has been
consistently gentle, with the wings barely rocking in pre-stall,
followed by the nose dropping just a little before the airplane
almost immediately resumed controlled flight. With a little rudder
input, you'll find that the Rascal 110 can be flown to a virtual
standstill before stalling. This exercise tells you a lot about how
slow you can fly the airplane during a landing approach.
The Rascal 110 was never intended to be an IMAC capable model
but it can perform a surprising number of maneuvers. With the
controls set at the recommended starting point, rolls will be slow,
especially so with engines at the lower end of the recommended
range.
However, with a little practice rolls can become axial,
smooth, and almost elegant. Inverted flight is easy and we've
found that it takes very little down elevator input to hold it in level
flight. We've learned to snap roll the Rascal 110 very effectively by
entering the snap at quarter-throttle or more. It's amazing to see
9+ feet of wing move that quickly! Likewise, we've learned to enter
a spin, again using a quarter-throttle or better entry. The airplane
enters a spin very nicely and will instantly stop rotating when the
controls are released. We make both the snap roll and spin entries
using hard rudder, up elevator, and hard-over ailerons.
Like all of the SIG Rascal models, the rudder is exceptionally
powerful on the Rascal 110.
You'll find that cross control
maneuvers such as side slips, knife-edge flight, flat turns, etc. - are
a lot of fun with this airplane. If you're flying from a short field or a
field with trees and need to get the airplane down at a higher angle
than the normal approach sink rate, try side slipping it into the
field.
The Rascal 110 can be side slipped (cross-controlled
ailerons and rudder) at very high angles of decent, at surprisingly
low speeds.
In all of this, we're willing to bet that you'll never tire of those long,
slow, low altitude fly-bys and touch and go landings. What a super
looking airplane!
Landing the Rascal 110 is a pleasure. No matter what your level
of R/C expertise is, understand that the Rascal 110 wing is 1522
square inches in area and this amount of square footage is going
to want to stay flying! Therefore, your landing approach should
take into account the airplane's impressive glide ratio. We typically
start the downwind approach at an altitude of about 50' or so, at
about one third throttle.
We continually decrease the throttle,
maintaining a constant rate of descent. The base turn should be
made smoothly to maintain airspeed and the turn to final should
wind-up at about 25' - 30'. Line-up the nose with the center of the
runway and bring the throttle down to a "high" idle. Keep the wings
level and literally fly the airplane down to the runway, closing the
throttle to full idle. Flare a little, allowing the main wheels to meet
the runway smoothly and let the model roll out to a full stop.
With practice and becoming accustomed to the glide of this
airplane, you'll be landing at very low speeds, putting the airplane
wherever you want it on the runway. The real secret here is to
realize that the Rascal 110 will not easily stall out on you, allowing
you to land at very low speeds.
We sincerely hope that your Rascal 110 ARF will provide you with
many, many enjoyable flights for many flying seasons to come.
We, also, hope that this has been an enjoyable kit for you to
assemble and fly. Please always operate your airplane in a safe,
responsible manner with constant regard to other flyers,
spectators, and property.
MAINTAINING YOUR MODEL:
Getting into the habit of routinely performing simple maintenance
and inspection of your RASCAL 110 ARF will keep it looking good
and flying good for a long time. Full-scale airplanes receive this
kind of routine treatment and fly safely for years. Your R/C model
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